Improvement in devices for holding sheep



6.1". WILSON. DEVICES FOR HOLDING SHEEP. No. 194.318.

Paten ted Aug'. 21,1877.

L M. MM M n Z Z m it with the shears.

' UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE THOMAS WILSON, OF RUSSELLSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT l.N DEVICES FOR HOLDING SHEEP.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 194,318, dated August 21, 1877; application filed October 26, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that], GEORGE THoMAs WIL- soN, of Russellsburg, Warren county, Penn-' sylvania, have invented a new and Improved Device for Holding Sheep While beingsheared, of which the following is a specification:

The object of my invention is as follows: In shearing sheep it is difficult for the Workman or shearer to hold themin such a position that the fleece may be removed without cutting the sheep or injuring the wool by cutting My invention is a device for holding the sheep securely in the required position, without injury, while being shorn, so that the shearer may have the use of both hands to handle the shears and fleece.

Figure 1 represents a side view of my device. Fig. 2 represents an end view. Fig. 3

' represents a top or plan view.

G represents a post set securely on the base 0. This base is hung onaspring-hinge, E. F is a bolt passing through the platform A. Through the head of the boltF thereisacrosspiece, I), and around this cross-piece the springs e, which form thehinge, are Wound, by which means the base 0 is so attached to the platform A that it can be revolved on the bolt F as a pivot and tipped or inclined in any po sition desired for convenience in shearing.

G G are movablefollowersor blocks,which are made to fit and slide on the post G. They are so constructed that they can be drawn out or apart, as desired, to suit the different sizes of sheep to be shorn, and when so drawn-out they may be held in the desired position by a spring, K, which latches in the notches L. (See Fig. 2.)

Projecting from the blocks G G are four arms, only two of which are shown atM I, Fig. 1, the other two being on the other side of the post. Fig. 3 shows the position of the arms M and P. On these arms are the straps l 2 3 4, and on the blocks are the two straps 8 9. "These straps have button-holes in their ends, by which they may be buttoned on the arms and blocks.

For the purpose of shearing, the sheep is placed on the base 0, with its back resting against the blocks G G, and its body between the four arms. The straps 8 and 9 are then passed around its body and buttoned. The legs are drawn up to the arms and the straps 1 2 3 4. buttoned around them, thereby holding the sheep in a secure position for shearing the belly and sides.

The blocks G G can be drawn out or lengthened, or telescoped, orshortened,tosuit the size of the sheep, as desired.

It will be seen that the post with the sheepin place can be tipped orinclined at any desired angle by means of the spring-hinge, and may be turned around by revolving the base 0 around the bolt F.

When the belly and legs of the sheep have been sheared, the post G is brought to a perpendicular position; and on the platform A is another post, H, having adjustable blocks H H, with arms, constructed similar to the blocks G G, only'that the post is smaller and the arms shorter. When the post G is brought to a perpendicular position, the straps l 2 3 4 are unbuttoned, and the sheeps legs brought forward to the arms N O of the blocks H. The straps 5 6 are then buttoned around them, the blocks H H being against its belly. The straps 10 and 11 are then passed around the body of the sheep and buttoned. Thepost G may then be swungaround out of the way, and the sheep is now securely attached to the blocks H H in such a manner as to leave its back exposed to the shears of the workman.

What I claim as my invention is as follows, to-wit:

The hinged posts G H, having adjustingblocks G H and arms and straps, as described, combined and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

. GEORGE T. WILSON. Witnesses:

A. B. RICHMOND, J OSEPH '1. WHITE. 

